Letters: Not impressed with Brown going to Washington

March 23, 2017 2:00 PM

Stop begging in D.C., Jerry Brown

Re “Brown shares optimism on CalTrain funding” (Page 6A, March 22): We recently bought an SUV and got a bill from the DMV for more than $500. We bounced over potholes to go and buy our SUV and pay the annual registration fee.

Then we saw that Governor Moonbeam is in Washington, D.C., trying to get taxpayer bucks to fund his obsession with trains, while also announcing that an increase in the gas tax may be here soon. Is this a great place to live – or what?

Bill Sanders, Gold River

‘Negotiate’ the end of high speed rail

Re “Brown shares optimism on CalTrain funding” (Page 6A, March 22): Gov. Brown, in meetings in Washington, D.C., said: “I am here to negotiate.” Fine. Then agree to stop high speed rail, which will cost California taxpayers billions of dollars, in exchange for millions of dollars for CalTrain electrification.

California high speed rail can never be completed without federal funding and that's not possible because the representatives in Congress can’t convince their constituents why they should pay for a California train to Disneyland that they will probably never ride on.

Ted Hart, Rancho Murieta

California isn’t at all ‘exceptional’

Re “Gov. Brown goes in search of common ground,” (Editorials, Mar. 22): The “exceptionalists” claim the rest of the country must follow our lead. “So goes California, so goes the United States” is nothing but an arrogant, delusional absurdity. California is hardly enviable.

It has a high cost of living, growing income inequality, too much bureaucracy and extreme environmentalism. It has effectively decriminalized drug use. It welcomes illegal immigration. For some reason, the exceptionalists think the rest of the country has to copy California. It doesn’t.

Bill Jurkovich,

Citrus Heights

Brown’s tantrum in Washington

Re “Brown says state would take a hit under GOP health care plan” (Page 6A, March 23): First it's water and now it’s the Affordable Care Act. Next he'll want the feds to fix all the broken highways in the state. He spent most of the past year slamming Donald Trump and Republicans, and his Democratic Party in Sacramento even espoused seceding from the union. Now he’s upset because the feds won't give him money.

Isn't it about time for California to start managing its own affairs? I suggest the state build its own dams and wells, and create its own health-care program instead of depending on the federal government.

Leonard R. Cook,

West Sacramento

Strategy for DA’s is abuse of discretion

Re “A refreshing, new approach to death penalty,” (Page 7B, March 22): Ana Zamora, the criminal justice policy director for the ACLU of Northern California, suggests that the district attorneys of California have discretion to never impose the death penalty, regardless of circumstances.

I am an attorney and have been a member of the ACLU for years. I am on record as opposing the death penalty and I support continued advocacy to abolish it. Having said that, any district attorney who listens to Zamora and abuses his or her discretion by unilaterally refusing to impose the death penalty under any circumstances should be removed from office.

Donald D. deRosier,

Carmichael

GOP opening upto climate change

Re “Vulnerable California Republicans Like Issa Try to Show Independence from Trump” (Page 1B, March 22): Rep. Darrell Issa’s addition to the bipartisan House Climate Solutions Caucus is one of the strongest signs yet that the GOP is beginning to recognize the importance of addressing climate issues. Presently, China, Germany and the United States are competing for a leading role in this rapidly expanding area of the global economy. Let’s ensure the U.S. emerges victorious.